Cotswolds Memoir Author writes brief history of Downton Abbey location in The Great Conservatory, Syon Park

The ravishingly beautiful Great Conservatory in Syon Park makes an idyllic setting for Lady Mary to take tea with Lord Gillingham in the series Downton Abbey.

The soaring white metal work of this backdrop contrasts with the lush greenery spilling from the classic Italian planters decorating its interior, creating a gorgeously romantic scene.

The Great Conservatory was designed by Charles Fowler and built in 1830. A Greek cross is the theme of the tropical house and this building’s spectacular glass dome is thirty eight feet in diameter. A conservatory constructed of metal had never before been attempted and its scale is particularly impressive with a frontage of two hundred and thirty feet.

Syon Park’s position, on the banks of the Thames only ten miles from London, is just across the river from Kew Gardens, and attracted the talents of J.M.W. Turner whose painting Zion House, Isleworth captures its beauty.

Sir John Betjeman sang the praises of Syon House and its 200 acre park when he described it as ‘The Grand Architectural Walk’. It is the London home of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family have lived there for more than 400 years. Originally the site of a medieval abbey which was dismantled by King Henry VIII in 1539 the current building and park are now a site of Special Scientific Interest.

Syon’s Italian Renaissance exterior was built in 1547 during the tenure of the 1st Duke of Somerset but it is its famous ‘Adam style’ that distinguishes the house’s interior. This came about when lst Duke of Northumberland commissioned Robert Adam to carry out a refurbishment 1762.

An eclectic mix of architectural influences inspired Adam including Baroque, Mannerist Gothic and Ancient Roman styles. The Long Gallery is one hundred and thirty six feet in length and the state rooms are a must-see as they remain completely intact from the day they were built.

In its march through history Syon House has been visited by or associated with King Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, Lady Jane Grey and Charles I.

Syon House and Park, including the Great Conservatory, are open to the public in the summer months and there is every reason, as the 3rd Duchess of Northumberland said, to visit ‘this delicious place’.

New! Cotswolds Memoir is now available as an AudioBook in addition to Paperback and Kindle

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A portion of the proceeds of every copy of COTSWOLDS MEMOIR: is donated to Cotswold conservation institutions.

This book contains descriptions of sites featured in the television series ‘Downton Abbey’ produced by Carnival Film and Television and NBC Universal International Limited. Neither Ms Diz White nor Larrabee Industries, Inc. has any association with, connection to, sponsorship by or endorsement of, the television series ‘Downton Abbey’, Carnival Film and Television or NBCUniversal International Limited.

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Cotswolds Memoirs

Discovering a Beautiful Region of Britain on a Quest to Buy a 17th Century Cottage

Available on Amazon

An English actress and comedy writer returns from Hollywood to her homeland to buy a cottage in the Cotswolds, the most beautiful part of Britain. Her exciting search turns into a laugh-out-loud, good life, foodie, meet the eccentric locals, cliff-hanging, explore the idyllic Cotswolds fun read as she finds the sense of community lacking in her urban existence and decides ‘It doesn’t get much better than this!’

Next book in the series:

More Cotswolds Memoirs

Creating the Perfect Cottage and Discovering Downton Abbey in the Cotswolds

Available on Amazon

Continuing actress/author Diz White’s love note to this beautiful region More Cotswolds Memoirs finds her on another fun-filled roller coaster ride as she builds on to her Grade II listed cottage and, during her journey, discovers the Cotswold film locations of Downton Abbey, explores their history and meets with the stars of the series. Gorgeous colour photographs make this book a souvenir of the Cotswolds.There is also valuable information for cottage owners preparing to build an extension. Plus an extensive Visitor’s Guide which includes the best the Cotswolds has to offer in historic sites, activities, accommodation, gastro-pubs, restaurants, antique emporiums, open gardens, etc. with many off-the-beaten-track and eclectic choices.